The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the creation of a National Task Force to ensure the safety and security of doctors across the country in response to ongoing protests following the rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata.
This decision came after a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took suo motu cognisance of the rape and murder case of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The SC bench, hearing the case, said if women are not able to go to work and working conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality.
‘National task force’
“We are establishing a national task force consisting of doctors from across India to develop strategies ensuring the safety and security of doctors within hospitals,” said CJI Chandrachud. “We appeal to all doctors to trust us. We are here to protect you,” he added, requesting that doctors nationwide who are currently abstaining from work return to their duties.
The SC has noted several issues affecting doctors working late-night shifts, including a lack of rest areas, inadequate hygiene conditions, and the challenge of attending to unruly individuals. Other concerns including lack of transport after long shifts and malfunctioning CCTVs, were highlighted. The SC also pointed out problems with inadequate security screenings and unrestricted access for patient families throughout hospitals.
‘National importance’
The Chief Justice emphasised that ensuring the safety of doctors is a matter of national importance, not merely about providing security. He warned that the nation cannot afford to wait for another incident of rape or murder to prompt necessary changes. He also urged doctors nationwide who have been abstaining from work to return to their duties. “Ensuring the safety of doctors is not just a matter of providing security; it is a matter of national importance,” the Chief Justice said. “The nation cannot wait for another rape or murder to prompt changes in the current conditions.”
The task force, ordered by the Supreme Court, aims to address the concerns raised by medical professionals following the brutal rape incident in Kolkata. “Please trust us,” Chief Justice Chandrachud urged, stressing the court’s commitment to protecting doctors and improving hospital safety. He also emphasised the need for a national consensus involving all stakeholders. The task force will include:
- Admiral Aarti Sarin, Director General of Medical Services, Navy
- Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy
- Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS Delhi
- Dr. Pratima Murthy, NIMHANS Bangalore
- Dr. Goverdhan Dutt Puri, AIIMS Jodhpur
- Dr. Somikra Rawat, Member, Gangaram Hospital Delhi
- Prof. Anita Saxena, Vice Chancellor
- Pallavi Saple, JJ Group of Hospitals
- Padma Srivastava, Chairperson of Neurology, Paras Hospital Gurgaon
The suo motu cognisance of the case, titled “In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related issue”, assumes significance in view of the fact that Calcutta High Court is already in action and has transferred the probe into the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The doctors’ strike over the rape and murder of the medic completed a week on Sunday and is now entering its second week, causing difficulties for patients. The protesting doctors want the CBI to catch the culprits and for the court to impose the maximum punishment on them. They also want an assurance from the government that “no such incidents occurs in the future”.
The apex court bench also comprises Justices JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra. The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests. The medic’s body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department on August 9.
A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. The high court ordered the transfer of the probe to the CBI while hearing petitions.
Comments
0 comment